The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-29
IRISB HISTORY.
Mr.. Gladstone's Criticism of Ingram's His
tory of Tho Irish Union.

Mr.. GIadstone's Criticism of Ingram's His
tory of The Irish Union.
LONDON, Sept 28.-Mr. Gladstone has
critique in Ninteenth Century, on Ingram's His
tory OF the Irish Union. He says tie work is
not history at all; it offers no inquiry into the
Rraver charges against the authors OF the union
and does not show even rudmentary knowl-
edge of the leading facts in Irish affairs. Mr..
Gladstone says he himself, after long striving to
obtain acquaintance with the experience Of un-
happy Ireland, now knows just enough to be
aware that his knowledge of it
is imperfect and to have an
inkling of the magnitude and complexity of the
task of the Thucydides of the Irish Union, who
has not yet mounted above the horizon. In
quiry into the facts presents the unusual diff
fculties. The records of the Irish government
for over thirty years before the union kept
secret. Further, there has been something ap-
preaching systematic extinction of documents
by the individuals concerned. The inference is
that the history Of the union is black that it
must be hidden from the eyes Of men. Mr..
Gladstone proceeds TO show that the charges of
corruption brought against Lord CORVALLIS are
true. Referring to the list of promises to sup
portsrs of the union which Lord CORVALLIS sent
to the Duke of Portland, he says: ''Ths stencil of
this shameful record is foul for the public
after two generations have passed away. Not
only corruption. but fagrant intimidation and
savage repression were used TO obtain the union.
Cornwallis declared in July, 1799 that the forces
in Ireland were sufficient to preserve peace, but
not to meet foreign invasion. What a picture
of that unhappy country where force OF 1885,,
900 men was necessary to keep the peace among
q disarmed people numbering 4500, ,000" He
contends that the methods taken to promote the
union stopped the tendency toward the growth
of religious harmony, replaced the Protestant
clique in power, arrested the good disposition of
the Irish Parliament, reversed the balance OF
strength of parties by transferring British aud
caste influence to the Union side. In order to
sustain this policy religious passions were let
loose, Orangeism was founded to infiame those
passions and the party of United Irishmen
driven into disaffection, and taught to depend
upon foreign aid. Through the continuance of
this system q reign of terror established.
aud that portion OF the people previously dis
tinguished for loyalty were driven into rebel
lion. under circumstances which warrant the
belief that such rebellion fostered by the
government, in order to promote q system Of
ferocious repression. After the rebellion
repressed system OF intimidation
was actively upheld by robbery, devastation,
rape. torture and murder. which were practiced
continually, the government shielding the per-
petrators. In conclusion. Mr. Gladstone argues
that the Irish Parliament was not constitution.
ally competent to surrender it's power. That
the opposition of the country at the time
shown by the petition of 20, 600 Irishmen, never
invalidated by any subsequent change of nation
al opinion.